Lorraine O’Brien will replace interim chief executive Owen Ingram, who has led Witney-based Cottsway Housing Association for the past 18 months, in October.

A former chief executive of an organisation that provided housing services for Stevenage Borough Council in Hertfordshire, she works as a strategic housing consultant and is a board member of the Housing Diversity Network.

Cottsway hit the headlines last year after the Homes and Communities Agency said it had discovered financial problems at the association.

The HCA downgraded the company’s governance and viability ratings and Cottsway had had to hand over £6.3m of grants for new building projects to another housing association.

Ms O’Brien said: “Cottsway has made great strides in re-establishing its credibility and I am really keen to work with the board and staff as we continue this journey and build on its achievements. The main priority is to continue providing excellent services for our residents while also ensuring that Cottsway employees keep getting the support they need.”